The sun was higher now and his strength was almost gone. Slipping into shadow, he fled up the stairs to the rooms above. Instinct guided him to a place of safety. As he settled into the darkness that would keep him shrouded throughout the day, Armando inhaled the sweet lavender fragrance that filled Vanora’s old bedroom. His thoughts were of her when he faded into the sleep of death.
* * *
The old room was just as she remembered it, except for it being much more tidy. Obviously Miss Robbins had prepared it for her possible arrival. Tossing her bags at the end of the bed, Vanora sat on the edge of the mattress. It was like she had never left. Old perfume bottles scented the room with lavender, a comforting familiar fragrance. She discarded her shoes, then laid across the bed. As she had growing up, she stared upward through the filmy fabric of her canopy.
How many times had she laid here dreaming about Armando? How many times had she tried to imagine his kiss? His touch? It felt like a million years had passed since she had been a teenager foolishly infatuated with the mysterious, handsome man. Now she was an adult woman who was foolishly in love with a vampire. Despite all her internal admonitions, the drive home had only confirmed that she still loved Armando. She was afraid of him to some degree, but she longed for him. In the wake of Rhonda’s death, she wanted Armando’s comfort. She wanted him to hold her close and promise that somehow she would be free of the darkness that was rapidly swallowing her world. Yet, she knew that to allow Armando back into her life and arms was dangerous.
With a sigh, she shifted about on the bed until she had the pillows tucked under her head. Sleep was tugging at her eyelids, yet she was afraid to sleep. What if she dreamed of the albino vampire? Or of Roman’s death again?
Vanora opened her eyes in the world of dreams to see the ocean crashing onto the shoreline. The crescent shape of a city near a bay sparkled like diamonds as the moon dappled waves undulated below the window.
“Armando?”
When she had dreamed of this place before he had been with her, but now she was alone. The room was empty, but a darkened doorway beckoned to her. Dressed in a simple white slip dress, she shivered in the damp cold air wafting through the room. It didn’t come from the open window, but the entrance to the room.
With great reluctance, Vanora walked to the door. A single candle tucked into a bronze candlestick burned on a small table and she picked it up to light her way. The foreboding doorway called to her and she hesitantly stepped through.
The hallway was arched and made of heavy stone. Steps led downward into an even deeper darkness.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Vanora closed her eyes, shuddering at the echoing boom. Instinctively, she knew that the door wouldn’t yield to her. She had to go downward into the dark. Forcing her eyes open, her gaze fell to the steps.
“Well, this sucks,” she muttered.
The stone was cold beneath her bare feet as she cautiously descended. The stairwell ended just before a long narrow room. The candlelight danced along the arched ceiling, stone angels, and inscriptions on the tombs.
She was in the Socoli mausoleum.
“Did you really think you could escape the dark?” a deep, menacing voice whispered.
It was the vampire who had murdered Roman.
“You’re dead. I’m not,” Vanora retorted.
“You have to resist fate.”
It was her mother’s voice.
Vanora reached out to trace the name Carys on the tomb next to her. “Mom, I am trying.”
“She can’t escape. There is no escape,” another voice taunted.
A small, girlish form with blond hair slithered in and out of the light thrown by the candle.
Lifting the candlestick like a weapon, Vanora peered into the darkness. “Show yourself!”
“Soon enough,” came the mocking reply.
“Vanora, you don’t belong here,” Armando said from behind her.
Spinning about, she gasped with relief to see him standing in her shadow. “Armando!”
“Let me take you from here,” he said in a gentle tone, tucking her hair back from her face so he could cup it between his cool palms.
“Please do,” Vanora answered, the candlestick falling from her fingers.
As Armando’s sharp fangs pierced her throat, she saw the candlelight flicker, then die.
Waking with a start, Vanora lashed out, her hand falling to empty space beside her. Confusion filled her as she realized she had expected Armando to be at her side. Why would she think that?
With a soft groan, she sat up and clutched her head. Exhaustion ate at her mind, but she didn’t want to dream anymore. To sleep was to risk dreaming. The sunlight was filtering through the filmy curtains draped over the windows, casting the room in a blue haze.
Vanora checked her phone and saw messages from her extended family, school friends, and Rhonda’s mom. She ignored them. Austin and the life she lived there seemed far away and already a distant memory. Though her room was familiar and comforting, she felt adrift. The old house didn’t feel like home either. She had texted Alisha before getting on the road the night before, so she knew her siblings would be anxious to see her when they woke. The thought of seeing them both frightened and thrilled her.
With a grunt, she slid off her bed. Hunger was gnawing at her insides and she could use a good dose of caffeine. Leaving her room, she wondered where Armando was sleeping. Which of the guest rooms was he tucked within? It upset her to realize how much she longed for him. Her feelings for the vampire only complicated everything that was going on.
Vanora ran into Miss Robbins at the base of the stairs. The housekeeper’s face broke into a large smile.
“When did you get here, lass? Oh, look at how pretty you look! Your hair is so long!” she declared, then warmly embraced Vanora.
“I got here at sunrise. I just woke up from a little nap.” Vanora couldn’t help but smile at the older Irishwoman. She had sincerely missed Miss Robbins.
Miss Robbins studied her expression with the hawkish intensity Vanora remembered far too well. “I’m so sorry for your loss, darling.”
“Thank you.” Vanora lowered her eyes, trying not to let the tears come again.
“Rhonda was a wild thing, but a loyal friend.”
“She was the best.” A fond smile graced Vanora’s lips.
“I was always afraid she’d steer you wrong,” Miss Robbins said with a sigh. “I never wished ill on her though.”
“She didn’t deserve it.” Vanora rapidly blinked and took a deep breath. “It was awful.”
“There are monsters in this world,” Miss Robbins agreed, her eyes flicking upward to the second floor. “And I’m not talking about the vampires. Humans can be devils.”
“Neal was definitely a monster.”
“May God not have mercy on that bastard’s soul.” Miss Robbins fidgeted with her braided red hair that had a bit more silver in it now. “Are you home for good now? Did you really leave school?”
Vanora hesitated, not sure what to say.
“Why don’t you eat a bit of food and we can talk.” Miss Robbins lightly patted Vanora’s shoulder before leading her to the big kitchen. “I made your favorite. Irish Stew!”
Vanora didn’t have the heart to tell the housekeeper that the dish was far from her favorite, but she appreciated the sentiment. It wasn’t until she was seated at the kitchen table with a huge serving of the fragrant stew and a hunk of coarse buttered potato bread that she realized just how hungry she actually was.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Roman and Alisha miss you terribly.” Miss Robbins took a seat across from Vanora, her own serving steaming into the air.
Vanora broke apart a bit of potato with her spoon before shoveling it into her mouth. It tasted delicious.
“It was hard for all of us when you didn’t come home.” Miss Robbins’s keen eyes were filled with a bit of anger and pain.
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t
.”
“You ran away.”
“Yes.”
“Because the vampires killed the pedophiles.”
Vanora widened her eyes. “You heard?”
“Roman told me.” Miss Robbins shrugged. “They had it coming. It was justice.”
“I saw it.” Vanora wondered how the older woman could be so calm about a double murder in the house.
“I suppose seeing it is a lot worse than hearing about it, but those two got what was coming to them.” Miss Robbins continued to eat, looking eerily calm about what had happened.
“Yeah, it was horrible.” Vanora didn’t feel like eating anymore, but her body yearned for food. She forced herself to eat another bite.
“They don’t kill, you know. It was a slip.”
“I know.”
“You have to forgive them. They’re your brother and sister.”
Vanora lifted her eyes. “I love them. I have forgiven them. But it doesn’t change what happened.”
“No, no. It doesn’t. But is that the only reason you went away?”
Tearing off a hunk of her bread, Vanora nibbled on the still-warm crust. The vampires were terrible gossips apparently.
“Armando hasn’t been around nearly as much as he used to be.”
“He’s been living part-time in Austin,” Vanora answered, shrugging.
“Oh!” Miss Robbins eyes flew open.
“I’m seeing someone. It’s not Armando.”
“Oh!” Whatever lecture Miss Robbins had ready seemed to die on her lips.
Mentioning Dan was awkward. Vanora realized she hadn’t even told him she was leaving Austin. What would she even say to him?
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Tonight is the big party.”
“Party?”
“Roman and Carlotta’s engagement party. They did tell you about it?”
Vanora winced. “Oh. Maybe. I don’t remember.”
“Anyway, Lord, I’m thankful you’re here. They’ll be so happy to see you. Of course, it’ll be a lot of work for me. What a mess they make! You wouldn’t believe! All of those vampires tramping through the house. Oh, they’re like children!”
Vanora realized with amazement that Miss Robbins did not seem to fear the vampires anymore.
“They all used to just sleep here, you know, whoever was still here at dawn, but I put my foot down. I couldn’t do any of my cleaning. I would have to keep the whole house dark because they just went to sleep wherever they felt like it. They’d be on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, all over the floor. But I told Master Roman that I couldn’t do my job so now he makes them leave before dawn.”
“Aren’t there a few here now?” Vanora bit her lip, suddenly worried about Armando.
“Well, he allows a few to stay, but not like before. They’re restricted to the guest rooms now.”
“So they’re having a party here?”
“In the dead of winter. Can you believe it? Ryan is setting up the outside heaters. I told him not to bother. They’re dead and don’t feel the cold like we do. But Ryan pointed out that you’re going to be here and Carlotta wanted the heaters anyway.”
“She’s here a lot?
Miss Robbins nodded, scowling slightly. “She has basically taken over the position of mistress of the house.”
“And Alisha let her?” Vanora asked over a bite of her stew.
“I think your sister likes being able to just paint and visit with Sheila. Besides, Carlotta isn’t here every night. Sometimes she disappears for days. Like last week, she wasn’t here for a few nights. Roman says that he has his life and she has hers.” Miss Robbins leaned forward. “They’re on odd pair, those two.”
“Do you like her?” Vanora asked, spooning up some broth and trying not to sound or look too concerned.
“She’s a bit flamboyant for my taste, but she’s fine, I suppose. Roman loves her though. You can see it. The way he looks at her is the way my Ryan looks at me. It’s real love there.”
“And she loves him?”
Miss Robbins pondered the question. “Yes, I do believe she does. I hope they’ll be happy.”
They both fell silent as they ate.
“Oh! I almost forgot!” Miss Robbins disappeared into the pantry and emerged with two gallon jugs. She placed them on the counter before returning to her meal.
Vanora could not take her eyes off the white plastic containers. The liquid within was clearly red. Blood. Vanora pushed her food away and quickly swallowed what she was chewing.
“They like it warm,” Miss Robbins stated with a shrug
“Aren’t you ever afraid anymore?”
“I got over it one night. I was late leaving and scared out of my wits. I decided to go down the back stairs. It had been raining all day and they were awfully slick. I slipped and fell over the banister and barely held on. I was screaming my head off. If I would have fallen, it would have been two stories down onto the cement. Then suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this lovely girl with black hair floating toward me. Then from me other side came this young man. He took one arm, she took the other and they floated me down to the ground between them. It was Zachary and Emily. I was very shaken and they helped me to my car. There were as sweet as peaches and I just lost my fear of them. I know they won’t ever hurt me. Have you ever flown with the vampires?”
The memory of the night she had fled filled her mind. Armando had carried her down to the ground from her bedroom window. “No, not really.”
Finishing her meal, she retreated from the uncomfortable conversation with Miss Robbins and returned to her room. In spite of her fear of dreaming, she climbed back into bed. Snuggling down into the covers, she listened to the wind murmuring against the window panes. She wasn’t even aware of falling asleep until she was being awakened by her phone ringing. A look at the screen filled her with dread.
It was Dan.
Vanora pondered not answering, but finally swiped the screen. “Hello?”
“Hey, Vanora,” Dan said, sounding awkward. “Are you with your family right now? Can you talk?”
“I can talk. I was just taking a nap.”
“I just got off work, so I wanted to see how you’re doing. I thought maybe I could swing by and pick you up for a coffee in a little bit.”
“Oh, uh...” Vanora slid from the bed, her fingers combing nervously through her hair. “I’m in Houston.”
“You are?”
It was difficult to ascertain exactly what Dan’s tone implied.
“I guess I should have called you,” Vanora said, wincing.
“Yeah, you should have. I would have come by to see you.”
The hurt in his voice filled Vanora with sadness. Peering out the windows, she saw the sun was nearly below the horizon. The day had passed by while she slept and now the night was coming. Her stomach clenched at the thought.
“I’m so sorry, Dan. Once I made up my mind, I just... “ Vanora sighed. She had run away yet again and she knew it. But at least this time she was trying to save not just herself, but the ones she loved. “I was just so overwhelmed with all that’s happened, I wasn’t really thinking straight.”
“It’s been so awful for you. I don’t even know what to say.”
Dan was so innocent and oblivious to the evil that loomed in the darkness. Vanora realized that she had been living a lie since she ran from her home, her siblings, Houston, and the dark. She had never truly escaped.
“Vanora?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking.” She didn’t know what to say or do.
There was a long beat of silence, then Dan said, “You’re not coming back, are you?”
“No, I’m not.”
A bitter laugh was followed by a sigh. “Things seemed to be going so well and then... Vanora, they kinda went wrong, didn’t they? Our last date?”
“Yes,” Vanora replied softly.
“I really thought we had a chance. I thought you were the one.”
She didn’
t even know what to say in answer to that. Resting her forehead against the cool glass, Vanora stared down at the growing gloom surrounding the mansion.
“Is it because of that Armando guy?” Dan asked, anger lacing his voice suddenly.
“No, it’s not because of Armando. Like I told you, we’re old friends,” Vanora said, now wanting to get off the phone and leave this chapter of her life behind.
“Because there seemed to be something between you two,” Dan continued.
Vanora struggled to keep the annoyance from her voice. “Dan, we’re over now. Let’s end this amicably.”
“I just don’t understand how we could have gone from being so happy to you running away.”
“Dan, the reality is I don’t love you. I don’t have a future with you.”
“And you have one with Armando?” The nastiness in Dan’s voice surprised her.
Vanora didn’t even know any more if she had a future. Fate seemed determined to drag her kicking and screaming into the darkness. “Dan, the truth is Armando and I were lovers and I never got over him. I’m sorry.”
“That’s all you had to say,” Dan said, and killed the call.
With an irritated sigh, Vanora slid her phone into the pocket of her jeans. Turning around, she was startled to see Armando standing in the center of her room. Dragging a hand through his dark curls, he gave her a surprisingly sheepish grin.
“You heard that, didn’t you?”
Smiling coyly, Armando nodded.
“You were under the bed, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m over you,” Vanora said defiantly.
“No, you’re not.”
Vanora found it increasingly hard to take a breath.
“No more than I’m over you,” Armando finished.
“We’re doomed, you know,” Vanora said sadly.
“Yes.” Armando drew closer to her. “We are.”
Every step he took made her heart beat faster. The vampire was almost to her, when he paused. Appearing a bit uncomfortable, he took a step away from her.
“Armando?”
“I need to go. I need to feed.” He quickly opened one of her windows and perched on the ledge. “I’ll be back soon.”
“There is pig’s blood here.” Fear flitted through her. Despite all the tension between them, Armando did make her feel safe. The thought of facing her siblings without him made her very uneasy.
The Fallen King idwma-8 Page 3